Platform for lift trucks



R. B. TAYLOR E'lVAL PLATFORM FOR LIFT TRUCKS Filed MaIGh 31, 1931 Julyr11, 1933.

7 INVENToRj f @GEERT fPooA/ 7;: n-a/e.

BYLLS TEA ,a/vus; 6am/M www@ f6# A TTORNEYS.

Patented July 1l, 1933 UNiTED STATES dPari;

lNT- Aorifice' ROBERT BROOKS TAYLOR ANB LESTER Lin/mar.GUINN, or KAPAA, YTannITofaY or HAWAII v Y PLATFORM FonmrT TRUCKSV Application filed March 31, 1931. Serial No. 526,702. f 'v The presentinvention relates to improvements in platforms for lift trucks, and it consists in the combinations, constructions and arrangements of scribed and claimed.

An obj-ect of our invention is to provide a. platform that may be used in connection with lift trucks of conventional design, the

structural features of the platform being so arranged as to allow -tlie platform to be folded for the pu'fpose of storage.' Our design permits the nesting of the platforms one above the other, and each of thefplatforms Will occupy a space not greater than the thickness of the floor portion of the platform. l A further object of the vinvention is the provision of a platform of rigid construction that will readily withstand stresses and strains. and which will prevent the platform from sa ggingiand thus prevent the lift; trucks from being rolled under the platform.

lWe further provide novel means for spacing the platform at the proper elevation above the supporting surface when they areY in use',

these means being movable into an out-of-the-A way position du ring the Ystorage of the platforms.

Other objects and advantages will appear the specification proceeds, andV the novel features of our invention will be particularly set forth in the appended claims. i

Our invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming a part of .this application, in which Figur-e 1 is a plan view of our platform;

Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof;

Figure 3 is a transverse vertical section taken along line S of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view showing a pair of our platforms in folded position and arranged in stacked relation;

Figures 5 and 6 disclose the legs and braces, respectivelyl which Wev employ; and

Figure 7 is an enlarged section along line 7 7 of Figure 2.

In carrying our invention into practice, we provide a substantially rectangular shaped frame 1, which is preferably formed of angle iron. the size and thickness of the same depending upon the capacity of the platform.

parts hereinafter cle-- angles form lar-shaped frame is The legs 2 of the angles are arranged in an upstandmg manner as shown in Figure 8,

and the legs. Sfare disposed so as to projectinvvardlyvofthe rectangle. The abutting ends Vof the angles are welded or otherwise secured together.

Referring now more particularly to F ig# ure l, it Will be noted that we provide a floor portion 4 consistingof a plurality of pieces 5 arranged transversely of thev frames f1, and having their ends abutting against the flanges 2. 4Thepieces bear against the in.-

wardly extending'flange 3, and niay'berse-Y cured to the latter'by screws 6 or the like'.

The frame portion-of the platform, and the legs of the across theends of the platform. The angudesi'gned to withstand side stresses, and `the pieces 6 which form the floor portion are inserted onlyl to support the load, and a minimum amount of stress is thus Ybrought 'to proper. v .l f .j

We provide means for holding the frame 1 in spacedrelation withrespect to the supporting surface 7, and for this purpose We have shown legs 8. rljlrhese legs are carried by rods or shafts 9 that extend thel entire Widthof the platform and are revolvably supported in sleeve bearings 10, these bearings beingV preferably Welded to the frame lsoas to form an integral part thereof. yIt should be noted that the rods or shafts 9 valsofact asv l reinforcing pressed. The ends of the rods in turn are threaded for receiving nuts 12, the latter be-V ing secured in adjusted position by means of cotter pins 13. f

Braces 14 are swingably secured to the supporting legs by bolts 15, and the braces areV .fashioned with slots 16 that terminate in hook-shaped end portions 17. Lugs 18 are mounted on the sides of the framevl, and .project throughl the slots 16 so as to act as 1 entirely surroundsthe door bear on the floor double vreinforcing zmembers f guides. The end portions 17 ofthe slots present shoulders which are adapted for en- CII gagement with the lugs 18 for holding the legs in extended position.

In Figure 1, we show the braces as being offset at 19 for providing sections 2O andY 2l, the latter bearing against the sides of the frame 1. The free ends of the supporting legs are accommodated inthe space 22 when Vthe legs are folded, and it will be observed spring 25, Isee Figure 7. These depressionsV are also adapted for registry with a 'second pair of raised surfaces 2t',A when the legs are -f ol'ded in the manner shown in Figure Li.

From the foregoing description 4of the various parts of the device, the operation there- Aof; may be readily understood. lThe Alegs 8 are swungfijntjooperativeposition, and are held' in place `rby the braces 14 as shown in Figure They frame is thus spaced from the Y struction and l I l Figure Sas including a frame 28 having supactive up onfthe re 23 with 'the raised surfaces or stud headsfQ supporting vsurface and allows a lift truck indicated at`27 to be rolled under the platforiiji.

l lie lift truck may be of any suitable conwehave indicated the same in porting Wheels 29 and an 'auxiliary frame 30.

The latter is movable with respect to the supporting surface by Avany suitable means (not shown) `so as kto elevate 41the platform until the freeends of the legs 8 clearfthe supportinfg'surface.A Thev platform is then i'iiovable into its new. position through the medium 'of the lift truck.y s

lfhen isdesi-redto place the platforms in storage, the legs are 1, and thebraces are brought along side 'of "the frame, Spring 25 becomes fold-edagainstthe sides of the frame Uisteri'ngjo'ff the depressions for holding the legs andbraces folded. The

defined by the floor thickbraces pivoted free ends of the legs project into the space 22. Our platform is particularly well designed .for moving articles of merchandise in factories, shops or similar places, and goods may be packed on these platforms for shipping. When the platforms are not in actual use, they are foldable into a compact unit and inayth'en be nested in stacked relation for storage in thev manner shown .in Figure 4l. i

While we have shown only one embodiment of our invention, it should be understood that we reserve the right to make changes or modifications Within the scope of the claims with` out vdeparting from the spirit of the invention.

`W'e'claim :A 1.1m a platform of the character described, a frame, lens swingablysecured thereto, and to the legs and adapted for engagement with the frame, the confronting surfaces between the legs and the braceshavdepressions andraised surfaces adapted for registry when the legs are moved into eX- Atended or folded position for holding the legs against movement. l ,Y

2. In a platform of the character described, a frame,'legs 'swingably' secured thereto, and braces pivotedfto the legs and adapted for engagementwith the frame, the confronting surfaces between thel legs and the braces having depressions and raised surfaces adapted' for' registry when the legs are moved into extended or folded position for holding the legs against movement, and yielding means for urging' the raisedportions into'th'e depressions.

3g Ai platform of the character described Ycomprising a frame, a 'pa-ir of legs ,-pivotally secured theretoon each side and braces .pivoted` to the legs near the extremities thereof andretractably secured to the frame, thel bracesbeing-` offset at the pivot to allow vthe ends of the legs to be accommodated in the offsets when .the fliegs are swung into inactive position for# effecting perfect .alinement between. the braces :and the legs.

noBnir-r Biioois rAYL'oi-i. Lumina ennui. 

